Cascade View student wins statewide award
May 2, 2012
By Sebastian Moraga
When seeking a home for its annual Reflections award of merit for music, the Washington State PTA found a haven.
Or actually, a Haven.
Haven Beares, a second-grader at Cascade View Elementary School, won the statewide organization’s award of merit for his song “Sounds of Diversity.”
A piano student for two years, Beares composed the piece on his own at his grandma’s house.
He has loved music since age 2, said his mom, Stephanie Bullard-Beares.
“He would listen to music and pick out the instruments,” she said.
By Sebastian Moraga Haven Beares and some of his best friends, the keys on an electric piano keyboard. Beares won the Music Award of Merit given by the Washington State PTA for his song “Sounds of Diversity.”
The state’s PTA awards students in different areas like film and video, photography, visual arts, dance, writing and music.
This year’s theme was “Diversity Means…”
For each category, the PTA handed out an award for Outstanding Interpretation, an Award of Excellence and an Award of Merit.
According to an email from Cascade View Elementary, Beares’ song was one of 19 entries chosen to represent the Valley in this year’s Reflections contest. His was the only entry awarded.
Beares composed and practiced his song on an electronic keyboard. He said he would like to have a real piano someday.
“There are some songs that I have to practice and the keyboard doesn’t hold the note for long,” he said.
Mom said they are counting on Grandma to help out with the piano.
Bullard-Beares said she likes listening to her son play and knows he enjoys playing, too.
“I just hope he sticks with it,” she said.
In case he loses his love for music, a backup plan already exists, sort of. Beares won an award this month at Cascade View’s science fair for his experiment on tornados.
Asked whether he prefers music or science, he simply said, “Both.”
Kevin Beares, Haven’s father, said he was very impressed with his son’s success and his winning song, but even more impressed with how he went about it.
“Grandma said he would not let anybody help,” Kevin said.
The awards ceremony is May 6, during the state PTA’s annual convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac.
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